His high-school career is history, but Jared Drake remains on a mission to disprove his
critics.

The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Westerville Central quarterback added to his accolade-filled senior
season by being named first-team all-Ohio and the offensive player of the year on
The Dispatch all-metro team, encompassing schools of all divisions in Franklin and its six
contiguous counties.

Even after putting up PlayStation-like statistics and leading the Warhawks (10-2) to the
Division I playoffs, Drake has received only limited recruiting interest. By all accounts, few
doubt that Drake is a major college athlete who could make an immediate impact as a defensive back
or punter, positions at which he also excelled.

But ever since his transfer in 2012 from Upper Arlington, where he was projected to play running
back in a wing-T offense, Drake has been adamant about his desire to play quarterback. He became
the focal point of a fast-paced, spread offense that averaged 47 points a game.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was little to play quarterback,” Drake said. “All the extra
work I’ve put in during the offseason to improve my footwork, to learn how to dissect defenses and
to improve my passing mechanics has been as much a challenge to prove things to myself as much as
recruiters.

“In my junior year, people referred to me as a running quarterback who threw a little. This
year, about 80 percent of my yardage came from passing. I think I led the state in passing yardage
(in Division I). Some people consider me a dual-threat quarterback, and that should be an asset.
Obviously, I’m not the big-armed, 6-3 or 6-4 guy some schools look for, but I think I bring a lot
of intangibles to the table.”

Drake completed 148 of 219 passes (67.6 percent) for 2,454 yards, with 26 touchdowns and six
interceptions. He rushed for 640 yards and eight touchdowns, averaged 39.3 yards per punt and was
one of the Warhawks’ top hitters and playmakers at safety.

“I realize that some schools want to recruit me as an athlete or as a punter, and I appreciate
that because I see those as attributes that help my value as a player,” Drake said. “But just like
I said when I came to Westerville Central, all I’m asking for is a shot to play quarterback.”

So far, his only offers to play quarterback have come from Indiana State, Valdosta State and
Saginaw Valley State, but the recruiting process is far from over. Before he moved to Westerville,
he was a top lacrosse prospect.

“Whether I go to a Division I school or a Division II school and whether I play quarterback or
somewhere else, I’m going to give 110 percent, and my teammates can vouch for my work ethic and
dedication,” he said. “If you give me a chance, I’m confident that I’ll prove myself.”

Alex Backenstoe, who played the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker spot on a stingy
Hilliard Davidson defense, was selected defensive player of the year. The senior totaled 14 sacks
and 23 tackles for loss, and also was one of the Wildcats’ most dynamic blockers at tight end.

Brad Burchfield, who guided Hartley (13-1) to the Division V state championship game, was
selected coach of the year.

The Hawks endured an ambitious schedule that included five playoff teams and did so despite
season-ending injuries to four two-way starters. Hartley defeated Division III state semifinalist
Marion-Franklin and Division VI state semifinalist Ready along the way.

sblackledge@dispatch.com

Offensive player of the year

Jared Drake (Westerville Central)

Defensive player of the year

Alex Backenstoe (Hilliard Davidson)

Coach of the year

Brad Burchfield (Hartley)

First-team offense

Receiver, TORRODD CARTER (Westerville South), 6-2, 180 pounds, sr. — The latest in
a long line of accomplished receivers at South, Carter made 63 receptions for 1,111 yards (17.6
average) and 10 touchdowns.

Lineman, BRADY TAYLOR (Ready), 6-5, 280, sr. — The anchor of a line that helped
Ready average 305.1 rushing yards a game, Taylor, a Virginia Tech recruit, also had 17 tackles for
loss at defensive end.

Quarterback, JARED DRAKE (Westerville Central), 6-1, 208, sr. — A dual threat in
Central’s fast-break spread offense, Drake passed for 2,454 yards and 26 touchdowns with six
interceptions and rushed for 640 yards and eight scores. He also excelled at safety and punter.

Running back, D.D. CLARK (Hilliard Davidson), 5-10, 184, sr. — The primary threat
in Davidson’s prolific triple-option, Clark rushed for 2,007 yards on 298 carries (6.7 average)
with 20 touchdowns. He topped 100 yards in all but one game, a blowout in which he sat out the
second half.

Kicker, KARCH HOLLAND (Pickerington North), 5-9, 210, sr. — The top scorer among
kickers in the area with 84 points, Holland made 13 of 18 field-goal attempts, with a long of 53
yards, and sent 70 percent of his kickoffs into the end zone.

Return specialist, RASHEED MORGAN (Bexley), 5-9, 155. sr. — An all-purpose threat,
Morgan averaged 50.1 yards on his 10 kickoff returns, with two touchdowns. He also rushed for more
than 900 yards and was an all-district defensive back.

First-team defense

Lineman, ALEX BACKENSTOE (Hilliard Davidson), 6-1, 230, sr. — A dynamic playmaker
as a hybrid end/outside linebacker, Backenstoe finished with 14 sacks and 23 tackles for loss and
was chosen Division I state defensive player of the year. He also was a vital blocker at tight end
in the Wildcats’ run-oriented triple option.

Linebacker, CHRIS FREY (Upper Arlington), 6-3, 230, sr. — A Michigan State
recruit, Frey had eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss among his 57 tackles. He also rushed for 855
yards and seven touchdowns in a balanced wing-T offense.

Linebacker, HAYDEN HATTEN (New Albany), 6-0, 200, sr. — Selected the Division II
state defensive player of the year, Hatten had 139 tackles (16 for loss), with 12 sacks, six forced
fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Back, OMAR ALFRED (Marion-Franklin), 6-0, 165, sr. — Regarded by Brian Haffele as
the best defensive back he has coached in his 10 years, Alfred made seven interceptions. He also
led the Red Devils with 40 receptions for 660 yards and seven touchdowns.

Back, CHANDLER BRIDGES (Worthington Kilbourne) 5-10, 155, sr. — From his
cornerback spot, Bridges returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns, had 51 tackles,
nine pass breakups and recovered a fumble to spark a defense that allowed 12.3 points a game.

Back, ALONZO SAXTON (Hartley), 6-0, 185, sr. — An elite cover corner headed to
Duke, Saxton entered the Division V championship game with nine interceptions, 48 tackles and four
pass breakups. The state defensive player of they year, he also scored eight touchdowns on
offense.

Back, NICK STULL (Hilliard Davidson), 6-1, 178, sr. — Anchoring the back of a
Davidson defense that allowed 9.1 points a game, Stull made three interceptions, 90 tackles and
five forced fumbles. He totaled four touchdowns on defense and special teams.

Punter, TAYLOR WILSON (Worthington Kilbourne), 6-0, 205, sr. — Wilson averaged
41.5 yards on his 44 punts and he was a stalwart at outside linebacker, with 115 tackles, five
interceptions and 31/2 sacks.